Bangladesh tightened security in Dhaka and other cities after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader tied to last year’s student uprising, sparked days of protests, arson and clashes with police ahead of a February parliamentary election.
According to Reuters, masked attackers shot Masked attackers shot Hadi, 32, in the head as he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka on December 12, according to Reuters.
Local news outlets stated that he was running as an independent in the Dhaka-8 constituency and was the voice of the youth group Inqilab Mancha.
Reuters said that the unrest included planned attacks on cultural institutions and media offices. Al Jazeera said protesters also demanded resignations from senior security officials, accusing authorities of failing to protect Hadi and deliver quick arrests.
Tens of thousands turned out for funeral prayers at the national parliament complex, where crowds spilled onto Manik Mia Avenue and Hadi’s coffin was draped in the national flag, according to The Daily Star. The paper said Hadi was later buried near the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University.
Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim administration, asked people to stay calm and said that those involved will get the worst punishment. He also called the funeral a vow to follow Hadi’s ideals.
Bangladesh is scheduled to elect a new parliament on Feb. 12, a vote many hope will steady the country after the 2024 upheaval that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Reuters reported.
